Hallmark Movie Lover

Cast: Jesse Metcalfe and Autumn Reeser
Release Date: June 27, 2015
Movie Description: A famous country singer set to marry a glamorous Hollywood actress returns to his small town roots. When he crosses paths with his childhood sweetheart – and finally feels inspired to write songs again – he reevaluates his life, his values and his opinion of true love. As his wedding day approaches, he must decide if he has chosen the right woman to be his wife.

 

My thoughts: This is one of my favorite Hallmark movies! I own it on DVD, and even watch it every time it airs on the Hallmark Channel. It’s such a sweet movie. I love our two leads. I enjoy the music and the “cowboy” theme. This is a Hallmark movie that I definitely recommend.

My brothers thoughts: My brother agreed to watch a Hallmark movie, or two with me for reviewing. These films are far from his normal genre of movies he watches. He admitted that this movie was more tolerable than he initially thought. When I asked him to name something he enjoyed about the movie, he had to think about it for a bit and came up with the animals that the movie had. The downside to the movie for him was that it was your typical cliche wedding. I was curious what he thought about the chemistry between the two leads. He thought that their chemistry seemed forced at first, but improved through out the movie.

My rating: 5/5

My brothers rating: 2.25/5

Cast: Autumn Reeser, Eric Johnson, Vanessa Matsui and Damon Runyan
Release Date: February 13, 2016
Movie Description: Big city girls Julia (Autumn Reeser) and Sydney take a trip to a dude ranch in Wyoming for a fun weekend getaway. But when a brawl ensues in the local bar one night, the girls are sentenced to perform community service for disorderly conduct and are forced to stay in town. In addition to doing odds and ends around town, the girls discover a charitable cause that just might change their lives.

Pros:

• Ben. Yes, please. Wow, he was one sweet and good looking cowboy.
• The location was gorgeous.
• I liked the storyline. It’s something different and I liked that.
• I really liked Autumn Reeser’s character, Julia. Autumn always does an amazing job in all Hallmark movies she’s in.

Cons: 

• Absolutely everything about Gavin. He truly was awful. First, his proposal to Julia wasn’t that heartfelt. He didn’t say many things he loved about her, he mentions that he chooses winners at work and now with her. Like seriously?! He gets upset that Julia didn’t discuss leaving on a trip with a friend. Really? He doesn’t own her. She’s free to do what she wants. Then he has a freak out when Julia and Sydney have to do community service. He’s upset because it’s going to ruin his family image. It’s not like she’s a reckless person, it was an accident. When he surprises Julia and she’s excited to show him all she’s been working on all he can say is “I’d rather you kiss me and tell me how much you miss me.” Does he not care about anything she does and all the hard work she’s done?

My overall thoughts on this movie: I absolutely adored this movie. I’ve seen this movie several times already, and still would watch it again and again. I’m even considering buying it on DVD. I thought the chemistry between our two leads was sweet. The build up with their relationship was believable. You could see their was an attraction from the start, but was built over the month she was there. I love Hallmark movies, and in my opinion, this is definitely toward the top of my list.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Absolutely!!

My rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Cast: Bethany Joy Lenz, Will Kemp and Brittany Bristow
Release Date: March 24, 2018
Movie Description: A struggling NYC matchmaker is hired by a king to find his son a suitable wife in time for a national celebration. As the clock ticks towards her deadline, the matchmaker finds him the perfect wife — only to realize that she’s fallen in love with him!

Pros:

• Bethany Joy Lenz. She’s fantastic. I absolutely loved her in “One Tree Hill.” I would like to see her in more Hallmark movies.
• Brittany Bristow. She is always amazing in every Hallmark movie she is in. I really hope that one day, she will play lead in a movie.
• The Royal theme.
• Victor was adorable. I’m happy he found love himself.
• The King not disapproving of a relationship with someone who’s not of Royal blood. From the start he just wanted to see his son happy.

Cons:

• I would have like to see more moments of our leads together, where you can tell these feelings for each other are developing.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought that the cast was great. I found the movie rather enjoyable, but felt it needed to build more on Prince Sebastian and Kate’s growing relationship.

Would I recommend this movie to others: I sure would.

My rating: 3/5

Cast: Hilarie Burton and Paul Campbell
Release Date: January 3, 2015
Movie Description: Josie Mayfield, a no-nonsense businesswoman working at her father’s successful cookware company, thinks her boyfriend Richard is the perfect man – handsome, successful and driven. The problem is that Josie’s parents, Joseph and Claire, do not agree. When Josie meets up with Gridley, an underachieving, old high school flame (who still has a crush on Josie), Richard dreams up a plan to make himself look good to Josie’s parents: Gridley will be Josie’s date at Joseph and Claire’s upcoming anniversary party. When Joseph and Claire see Josie with a “loser,” they’ll give anything to have Richard back in the picture. At least, that’s the plan.

Over the anniversary party weekend, the plan goes awry in every way, and Josie must decide which direction her life – romantic and otherwise – is going to take.

Pros:

• Paul Campbell, as Gridley. He’s pretty much Hallmark perfection for me!
• Hilarie Burton, as Josie.  So happy she’s joined the Hallmark family. I loved her character on “One Tree Hill”, and thrilled to see her on my screen once again!
• The chemistry between Josie and Gridley was great.
• The granddad!

Cons:

• Richard.
• Josie’s mom. However, she was pleasant the last 10 minutes of the movie.

 

My overall thoughts on this movie: I thought this movie was fun. Every movie I see with Paul Campbell, he plays such a fun loving guy. His character always puts a smile on my face, or makes me laugh. I enjoyed this one!

Would I recommend this movie to others: Yes.

My rating: 3/5 (Good)

Cast: James Brolin, Cindy Busby and Andrew Cooper
Release Date: February 24, 2018
Movie Description: Kelly, a hopeless romantic in Montana eager to finish her dissertation, and her father, Hank, a rancher, receive news that he has inherited an estate from a faraway land. When they travel there, they discover that Hank has not only inherited the estate, but the title that goes along with it – KING!

Pros:

• Alex. He was very easy on the eyes.
• Hank missing his dog throughout the movie.
• I adored all the staff who worked in the castle. They all were fantastic.

Cons: 

• Nicholas.
• The storyline was slightly corny and ridiculous.

My overall thoughts on this movie: Even though I found the storyline to be a little corny, I found myself enjoying the movie. It had a slow start, but gets better throughout the movie.

Would I recommend this movie to others: There’s one person in mind who I would suggest this movie to.

My rating: 3/5

Cast: Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker
Release Date: February 3, 2018
Movie Description: A young woman takes advice from the chalkboard notes that her mysterious house rental tenant leaves when a slick sales rep arrives with plans to buy her family’s prized winery.

Pros:

• Andrew Walker, as always.

Cons:

• I was bored during this movie.
• Lacey Chabert. I usually absolutely adore her in Hallmark movies, but in this movie, I didn’t care for her character.
• I didn’t feel a romantic chemistry between the two leads.
• The storyline was just, meh.

My overall thoughts on this movie: Wow, I sure was bored throughout this movie. Having two of my favorite Hallmark actors/actresses this one was just not good.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Nope.

My rating: 1/5 (Horrible)

Cast: Luke Perry, Emmanuelle Vaugier and Tom Butler
Release Date: January 2, 2016
Movie Description: Avery Ford, (Luke Perry) a famous actor in popular Western films, is sent by his manager to a Montana dude ranch where he’s supposed to rustle up business for the ranch while also re- energizing his flagging career. Heather Twain (Emmanuelle Vaugier), whose family owns the ranch is a natural beauty who can ride, rope, fix the truck, whip up a meal that’ll knock your socks off – there’s nothing she can’t do. Though miffed when she realizes he’s a phony, a city slicker who knows nothing about being a cowboy, she can’t help but feel something for the well-meaning, awkward Avery.

Pros:

• The location.
• The horses.
• Luke Perry (I had a crush on him back in his Beverly Hills 90210 days)
• Chemistry between Avery and Heather was believable
• How Avery grew throughout the movie. He became hardworking and found a place he felt good to be in.

Cons:

• Some of the movie was a tad bit boring for me.

My overall thoughts on this movie: When I first set this to record, to review, I didn’t think I was going to like this movie. I have to admit that I was wrong. This movie was better than I expected it to be. I’m not saying it’s fantastic, but it’s definitely not horrible.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Maybe. To certain people.

My rating: 3/5 (Good)

Cast: Jill Wagner and Victor Webster
Release Date: October 21, 2017
Movie Description: Sarah Bloom, an up and coming wedding planner in New York, is hired to plan the most anticipated wedding of the season. However, she learns the bride is from Sarah’s home town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and wants her wedding on the family farm, which is now being run by the bride’s older brother – who is also Sarah’s first love.

Pros:

• I’m one who notices cute outfits worn in a movie. I absolutely loved the purple and black dress that Emma wore at the very beginning of the movie. I wish I had a dress exactly like it last weekend, when I attended my boss’ wedding.
• The farmers market scene. I’d love to have a good looking guy on my arm, walking through a farmers market, while it’s raining and sampling food.
• If you have read other posts of mine, you definitely know how I feel about second chances at love. It always makes me happy.
• It was refreshing to watch a Hallmark movie, where there was really no awful character, doing awful things.

Cons:

• I honestly didn’t care for the ending, at all.

 

My overall thoughts on this movie: Aside from the ending, I thought this was a good movie. The acting and chemistry between our two leads was all done very well. I’m now set on having a fall wedding of my own, whenever that time may come!

Would I recommend this movie to others: Sure!

My rating: 3/5 (Good)

Cast: Danica McKellar, Cameron Mathison and Damon Runyan
Release Date: February 10, 2018
Movie Description: Helen, a kind hearted and shy florist, meets the perfect man at a Valentine’s Masquerade Ball. When she enlists the help of her best friend Henry to track him down, she finds that her perfect man may already be right in front of her.

Pros:

• Henry. He was pretty much perfect in every way.
• Yes! I love the best friends to lovers story!
• The two very attractive love interests of Helen.
• Even Aunt Carol gets a love interest.

Cons:

• SOME of the acting was a bit over the top.
• It was slightly cheesy at times.

My overall thoughts on this movie: Well, overall this movie was adorable. The storyline didn’t impress me much. What really worked for me was the character of Henry. I adored his love for Helen, and how much he truly knew everything about her.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Most likely.

My rating: 3/5 (Good)

Cast: Danica McKellar, Kavan Smith, Tammy Gillis and Christopher Russell
Release Date: June 3, 2016
Movie Description: When two commitment-phobic busy professionals with little in common are asked to be the best man and maid of honor at a mutual friend’s wedding, they didn’t expect a life-changing romantic experience of their own.

Pros:

• The wedding they worked on together looked beautiful.
• Nick and his dad talking things out, and strengthening their relationship.
• The Inn. It’s location was spectacular.

Cons:

• Amy. Especially, about her complaining about not wanting to move out of Manhattan. I completely understand about not wanting to move somewhere else, but she didn’t seem to be willing to even consider it.

My overall thoughts on this movie: I watched this when it first aired, and I wasn’t impressed with it. Now, after watching it again, I liked it. I enjoyed the storyline of the movie. Seeing Nick and Molly work together, and feelings develop was sweet. In my opinion they didn’t have the strongest chemistry, but were still quite cute together.

Would I recommend this movie to others: Yes, I would.

My rating: 3/5 (Good)